Treesearch

During April 1956, about 20,000 boards from 210 white fir and 290 western hemlock logs were measured at a lumber mill in western Washington. A magnetic drum, data-processing machine (type 650) was then used to calculate board-feet volumes by lumber grade for each log, and average board-foot volumes by lumber grade for each log diameter-class within log grades and within species. This first phase of the analysis was accomplished in 18 minutes of machine time once the board measurements were punched on cards.

During the early 1930's, as use of the logging truck and tractor increased, a form of partial harvesting mature and overmature virgin stands developed in the Douglas-fir region (2). The cutting pattern varied from taking a few scattered high-grade trees per acre to clear cutting small areas. Partial harvesting caught on quickly because at that time only the high-grade trees could be logged at a reasonable margin of profit. This was a new procedure in the Douglas-fir type, and its effect on the future stand was unknown.

Competition from brush and herbaceous plants following clear-cutting is a major obstacle to establishment of natural reproduction or survival of planted trees in most areas of coastal Oregon.

During the spring of 1949, an experiment to compare the effects of selection thinning and low thinning was established on the King Creek holdings of the St. Paul and Tacoma Lumber Company in Pierce County, Washington. Although the study was designed primarily to test selection thinning, effects of a modified low thinning and no thinning under comparable conditions were also provided for. The complete study consists of three separate blocks, each of which demonstrates one of the above treatments. However, data are as yet generally insufficient for significant comparisons; consequently, the...

The cold wave that occurred throughout the Pacific Northwest in mid-November 1955 caused serious damage to the forests of western Washington. Observations indicate that heavy mortality can be expected in 30- to 40-year-old stands in some areas. In addition, widespread damage was suffered by natural regeneration and young plantations, and by 1-0 stock in some forest nurseries.

Heart rot is sometimes common in pole-size Douglas-firs that had been heavily live-pruned for trail clearance when they were long-crowned saplings, This observation suggested that benefits from pruning for quality increment might be reduced appreciably by heart rot infections occurring through pruning wounds. The study described in this paper was therefore undertaken to determine the relationship between pruning and incidence of heart rot in young Douglas-fir.

Loblolly pine seedlings can be safely planted promptly after hardwood control with low-volatile esters of 2, 4, 5-T. This conclusion, plus some interesting data on reactions of seedings to drought, competition, and occurrence of insect attack, came up to light in a recent study in east Texas.

The 1956 fire season will be remembered for the record number of lightning storms in nearly all parts of the area. In other respects, fire-weather severity was slightly below the average of the previous ten years. In western Oregon, fire weather over the entire season (April through October) was slightly less severe than in 1955, while in western Washington it was slightly more severe.

A key to better restocking of conifers on recently cutover forest land in the Oregon Coast Range is the elimination of competition from red alder (Alnus rubra Bong.). This can be readily accomplished with a foliage spray containing 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2.4-D). Tests in 1954 and 1955 on the Cascade Head Experimental Forest have shown that control is also possible using a basal application of 2,4, 5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4, 5-T).

During the past ten years, interest and development of research in forest soils has grown steadily in the Pacific Northwest. Prior to 1946, no full-time work in forest soils was being done in the region. Today, both private and public land-management organizations employ forest soils research technicians. In addition, two colleges in the region offer instruction in forest soils through the graduate level.